Jack Grealish reacts as Kieran Trippier announces Newcastle United exit
Jack Grealish has shown his support to Kieran Trippier, with the Everton winger reacting to the news of the defender leaving Newcastle United.
Trippier had been an important cog in the Newcastle machine that has frequently qualified for Europe over the years, making his exit quite high profile.
Meanwhile, in Everton's own backyard, speculation continues to swirl around the future of Grealish, with the Toffees pushing to keep him next season.
The Friedkin Group will be eager to follow in the footsteps of Newcastle and make Everton a team competing in Europe once more. Holding onto Grealish would be an important step.
As Grealish recovers from his injury, the Blues loanee has now been quick to react to Trippier's announcement.
Kieran Trippier posts farewell message on Instagram
Grealish and Trippier would have become well acquainted with each other when on international duty for England.
The pair has featured in a number of Euros and World Cups for the Three Lions together.
| Jack Grealish and Kieran Trippier | Total |
| Games played together | 12 |
| Combinations for goals | 0 |
| Points per game | 2.08 |
| Minutes played together | 489 |
So, that makes it no surprise that Grealish was one of the quickest to react to Trippier's farewell to Newcastle fans.
The English right-back's contract at St James' Park is set to expire this summer, and an extension will not be offered to continue his four-and-a-half-year spell up north.
As the news emerged, Grealish responded to Trippier's exit video by liking the post on Instagram.
Could Everton be Trippier's next club?
Everton have previously been linked with Trippier, but those suggestions came when Sean Dyche was still in charge of the Toffees.
The former Blues manager had previously coached Trippier at Burnley, and that is perhaps where those links have come from.
However, with Seamus Coleman set to leave Hill Dickinson Stadium at the end of the season, David Moyes will lose a significantly experienced voice in the dressing room.
Turning to Trippier on a short-term free transfer to fill the void of that leader could be a shrewd move by the Friedkin Group.
It would not be the most glamourous signing ever, with fans likely wanting a younger and quicker right-back.
However, it is an opportunity that you should not turn your nose up at. Experienced leaders come few and far between.